Pakistan future lies with China

ISLAMABAD (APP) - Speakers at a seminar here on Saturday stressed the need for enhancing bilateral relations with China with which they said future of Pakistan lies. China-Pakistan Economic Cooperation Seminar was organized by Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Association of Chinese Enterprises in Pakistan (ACEP) with an aim to explore ways and means for further boosting relations between the two countries particularly economic cooperation. Among others, the seminar was attended by Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Muhammad Azam Khan Swati, Ambassador of China in Pakistan, Luo Zhaohui, Counsellor, Yao Jing, Economic and Commercial Counsellor Zhou Zhencheng, Deputy Director of visa office Xiang Shan and representative from ICCI and ACEP. Pakistans future lies in East with China, remarked Azam Khan Swati while speaking on the occasion as chief guest. He stressed the need for enhancing relations with China on all fronts saying that the Chinese government, business community as well as people have great respect for Pakistan and are interested in enhancing bilateral relations. Swati was of the view that science and technology was engine of economy and stressed the need for developing Science and Technology Ministry in Pakistan in line with the relevant ministry in China for the better future of country. In his address, Ambassador Luo Zhaohui said although there were some security concerns in Pakistan, however the government was fully cooperating with Chinese companies and providing conducive atmosphere for them to do business in the country. He also highlighted the importance of enhancing trade relations between the two countries for mutual benefit. He said that Pakistan was very much interested in enhancing economic relations with China adding that President Zardari has made four visits to China for seeking cooperation to build Pakistans economy on sustainable and long-term basis. Speaking on the occasion, Advisor to Prime Minister on Water and Agriculture Dr. Kamal Majeed said that the current government has signed several Memorandums of Understanding with China which are all operational. He deplored that about 600 MoUs were signed between the two countries during past 60 years which failed to bring results as they were not followed and thereby implemented. He said China has agreed to provide Pakistan hybrid technology for enhancing its per acre yield for the better future of the country and save it from food and water scarcity. He said that once the technology was operational in Pakistan, it would make the country self-sufficient in food for years to come. Earlier in his welcome address, ICCI President Mian Shaukat Masood expressed the hope that trade volume between Pakistan and China would reach to $15 billion by 2011 which during the last financial year was $7 billion. He said that trade balance between the two counties was in favour of China and stressed the need for making win win situation for both the counties in bilateral trade. He said that Pakistan intends to exports several products to China including mango, surgical instruments and leather products however said that there were some hurdles in doing so. He said that Pakistans mango was considered best mango of the world but it failed to reach Chinese market due to certain restrictions which he said needed to be removed. Chairman ACEP also spoke on the occasion while Falak Sher from Board of Investment, Abdul Sattar from Fedeal Board of Revenue, Mateen Khan from Wheather ford Pakistan and Yan Xinde, from CWE gave detailed presentations on various issues aiming at enhancing business cooperation between the two countries.